tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286Fri, 03 Jul 2015 19:50:15 +0000Sunday LeftoversVideoRantReviewsComputer JoeyRyan AdamsBooksStoryZombiesConcertsDrinking Made EasyPhillyistTravelMusic RelatedBabyCenterPicturesThanksgivingGonzoMean JoeMister Done RightWeddingAmerican lifesylesBathroomPhiladelphiaSeasons GreetingsChristmasDate My BeardEnderPoliticsBack WindowFatherhoodJack WhiteRecipeRemodelTom ClearyhousingAmber deLaurentisNews and Current EventsReligionWhite StripesAdviceBlogCreepyDoucheEconomyJackDKungFuMovie ReviewPeace OutRepublicasterTour De PhillyToysWTFAmazonAndroidComicsFamilyFinancialFoodFunnyGTTGoogleHipstersInformationKress WineMacho ManMaineNSFWNew Years EveRandomReggie WuScienceSocial MediaSpaceTestThe Walking DeadTripsiPad191120103DAppleAquarium DrunkardAsk a ButcherAsparagusAtlantic CityBeerBill MurrayBloody MaryBob DylanBored to DeathBreast FeedingBufflejoeBulliesCalendarsCaliforniaCarl SaganCatholic LeagueCerealCharlie SheenCigarettesCool ScienceCorn BreadCranberriesCrowded HouseCustomer ServiceDaily LombardiDark AgesDisasterDogsEducationElderlyErik LarsonEvolutionFact CheckFanboysFavorFlugtagFlying FishFrakingFruit BruteGTDGary SuttonGoodbyeGoogle ReaderGraduateGrowing UpHaitiHangoverHipposHumansIIIIVInspirationInterviewJack BlackJason SegelJeff BridgesJerry BlavatJimmy FallonJohn CusackJonathan CoultonJose PistolasJulian LynchKid RockKindleLa EsperanzaLoretta LynnMBAMantuaMark RuffaloMean GirlsMegafaunMulled WineNachosNeil ClearyNeil FinnOskaloosa MoonPJ WhelihansParadePaul McCartneyPersonalPhiladelphia Classical Guitar SocietyPoisonRememberingSchoolScotchSewellShopvacShorpyShutdownSir GrapefellowSlapSmithsonianSmokingSnoopDogSnowSom SakSpidermanSquidbusterStarmanSteve MartinSteve YoungStupid KidsSupermanSweet ToothTMNTTSATelevisionThe BandThe BoysThe PopeThird Man RecordsTim MichinTom AmorielloTom WaitsTrafficTurkeyType-inTyposVacationVerizonVideo ConferencingVideo GamesViralWeedWendysWestern Governors UniversityWikileaksWitchbladeWritingWynn WalentYear EndYogi BearZgohuluiPhonemoney managementnetflixtwin shadowOrdered ChaosA place to put my random thoughts.http://blog.joeylombardi.com/noreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)Blogger750125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-4192668878409960738Fri, 03 Jul 2015 19:50:00 +00002015-07-03T15:50:15.380-04:00Daily LombardiGoodbyeShutdownMoving on up...<img src="http://daily.joeylombardi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dl_burrito-1024x576.jpg" width=580 height=326><br /><br />This has been a long time coming, but I finally pulled the trigger... I consolidated my two personal blogs (<a href="http://social.joeylombardi.com">The Daily Lombardi</a> and <a href="http://blog.joeylombardi.com">Ordered Chaos</a>).<br /><br /><b>I am officially putting Ordered Chaos (blog.joeylombardi.com) in mothballs. </b> I am combining both blogs and moving them over to a WordPress blog on my own infrastructure. <br /><br />I haven't written anything here in years, and I have been struggling with the idea of generating content on a site that I don't completely control (even though I really like blogger/google). <i>I think I outgrew the site</i>.<br /><br />I was able to export everything I wrote over <a href="http://daily.joeylombardi.com/">to the new site</a>, but I am leaving the name behind. Ordered Chaos sounds very 2002ish (which is when I started the blog). I am retaining the Daily Lombardi because it sounds like a newspaper and I like giving off that vibe.<br /><br />The previous version of Daily Lombardi was essentially a spot to dump out memes to my social media circles, and I will continue to share that kind of content here, but with a little more personalization. I will also try to go back to writing some articles as well (outside of my work on The Source and Babycenter.com)<br /><br />Thanks for visiting, I hope you like the improvements.<br /><br /><iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L09qnRfZY-k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2015/07/moving-on-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-1467106834356196871Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:00:00 +00002013-12-31T15:00:05.007-05:00Seasons GreetingsSeasons Greetings (2013)<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d8WG1JPUy9o/UsL3oHYCP6I/AAAAAAAAVaI/dEEYeUmZV20/w640-h313-no/moon_sg.jpg"><br /><i>Image Credit: NASA</i><br /><br />I wasn't sure if I was going to write a year-end post. My hesitation was not out of any negativity, but more of a feeling like maybe the concept has run its course. <br /><br />This picture of Earth popped up in my news feed today and I thought about perspective. It is good to change it sometimes and it is good to document where you are at now for a revisit later. <br /><br />I am not going to give some big ra-ra speech about change or making the best of your situation. That was last year, I hope your situation is better this year, and I hope it is even better next year. But that is on you and lady luck. <br /><br />I am pretty damn thankful for where I am at in life right now. I enjoy my family and the thought processes that go along with raising children. Wanting them to have all of the good things that make you who you are and none of the bad... and then cringing when you see those bad traits bubble out. Genetics, aren't they grand?<br /><br />Not to soap box, but I have said this in real life a few times and have been meaning to document it on a blog somewhere. Even though I am <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/jlomba/">clearly enjoying being a parent</a>, it is not for everyone. Your parents, your religion, your government want you to keep pumping out red blooded whatever-the-hell-you-are and if that is the key to your happiness - awesome, but it isn't the only way to lead an interesting and fulfilling life. <br /><br />You have options - explore all of them so you feel good about the decisions you do make. <br /><br />And that is a hell of a segue to whatever scrap of a message I do have this year. <b>Make informed decisions</b>. At work, at home, and in the infinite daily interactions you have with the masses. Be informed. Stay informed. Educate those around you. <i>Rinse and repeat</i>. <br /><br />You will make the world a better place, if not for everyone, at least it will be better for me. <br /><br />I will end this year with this visual... just remember where we are all sitting in the grand scheme of everything:<br /><br /><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5EanYhkv5P8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />I hope 2014 brings you whatever you are looking for. Happy New Year!<br /><br /> http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/12/seasons-greetings-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-2605554427638286443Mon, 14 Oct 2013 13:30:00 +00002013-10-14T09:30:01.571-04:00Computer JoeyRantWhy I switched to T-Mobile( @tmobile @googlenexus )<br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zww1MGDcjjw/Uls5izpdmkI/AAAAAAAAVMk/7IlnU1CHQPs/w640-h355-no/Google-Nexus-4.jpg"><br /><br /><i>I had this conversation with so many people in the last year that I decided to capture it and publish it on my blog. </i><br /><br />Around this time last year, my 2-year contract with Verizon was up and I was looking to renew and get new phones. Then I received a letter stating that they were switching us to a family-share plan once we selected new phones. We would be moving from unlimited data to a 4GB shared plan. Also, my plan was going to go up about $10 per month. <br /><br /><b><i>I was furious.</i> </b><br /><br />My wife and I didn't come close to using 4GB (we usually averaged 400 MB), but I didn't like that the unlimited data plan was going away and that I was being charged more for what I considered to be less (plus the smart phone I had at the time sucked and I assumed a new phone would eat more data). For the first time in 6 years I started shopping around. <br /><br />Also around this time, Google announced they were selling a completely unlocked phone called the <a href="http://www.google.com/nexus/4/">Nexus 4</a> for $300 (no contracts). An unlocked smart phone with a perfect android experience that gets updates immediately directly from Google? <i>That sounded perfect.</i> But the phone was not compatible with Verizon. Yet another reason to start looking around. <br /><br />I started calling companies that the Nexus 4 would work with. AT&T ended up being just as much as Verizon. My wife suggest calling T-Mobile but I hesitated. Even though Verizon has the best coverage nationally, I did not have a great signal in my house. I assumed that if Verizon gave me problems, T-Mobile would have absolutely no signal in my area. I looked up their coverage map and my house was in a dark green area (excellent coverage). Then I checked work...dark green again. Then I started looking at places we go to frequently...all dark green. <br /><br />Not to belabor the point, we decided to give T-Mobile a shot and cancel if we had a bad experience. I am going to be honest, we almost did. Getting the right sim cards (mini) and an issue with the first payment time almost derailed the whole thing. Several days/hours on the phone with their customer support was like shoving nails in my eyes, but I powered through it. In the end, we settled on an unlimited everything plan (data, voice, text) and I am saving $90 per month. <br /><br />The coverage has exceeded my best expectations. I always have a great signal in the places I am the most. I have also been traveling quite a bit for work and haven't had any issues (unless I am in a basement or heavy concrete building). Also, instead of having a phone where I am always saying "I wish my phone did that", the Nexus 4 is constantly surprising me with some useful thing it does in the background (like Google Now's ability to automatically check flight status, traffic, and even hotel reservations). <br /><br />I rarely experience situations where making switches like this ends up being dramatically better (there is almost always a compromise). By switching to T-Mobile and buying a Nexus phone I saved money, actually got better mobile performance, and was able to shove it to a company that I didn't feel was treating me well. <b>I have been using the service for 10 months and had no issues</b>. Last week T-Mobile <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/t-mobile-ends-roaming-charges-you-can-too-2013-10-11">announced it was ending roaming charges internationally</a>. Another move that tells me this company wants to be competitive and understands what is driving customers away from other mobile providers. I thought it was a good time to share my experience and offer my suggestion. <br /><br />So that is my (completely not paid for or sponsored by) opinion, I hope it helps. http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/10/why-i-switched-to-t-mobile.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-4382102836880203540Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:15:00 +00002013-10-12T13:15:00.572-04:00FamilyVideoWine Day 2013<iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lENX01M0ris" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><i>Family Wine making day. I was really lazy this year and didn't take that much footage, had to really stretch it out. </i>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/10/wine-day-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-479221383354410096Sun, 04 Aug 2013 17:28:00 +00002013-08-04T13:28:31.463-04:00CalendarsComputer JoeyGTDComputer Joey: GTD: Calendars<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K4bfaAOm9Yg/Uf6IcIHyDDI/AAAAAAAAVGQ/BfQGgbo6Czc/w640-h267-no/rosie_gtd.jpg"><br /><br />Getting things done, also referred to as GTD is a popular term on the internet. Most people want to be more organized and save time doing simple tasks. There is a massive amount of material and information available on the internet to help you become more efficient, and today I am going to show you my favorite GTD tool:<br /><br /><a href="https://support.google.com/calendar/answer/37005?hl=en">Google Calendar</a><br /><br />Many of my readers (and friends) are probably already using this service, but for those of you that are not, let me walk you through some of the basics and why I like it so much. <br /><br />Google Calendar (gCal) comes free with a standard gmail account (also free). Under the hood there are several little tools that come in handy when you are trying to manage a busy social calendar (or three people's social calendar). <br /><ol><li>Sharing: You can share your calendar with friends and family so they can see when you are available and what you are up to. This is awesome when you are trying to plan an evening out with busy people. It also helps when you are trying to figure out where the kids need to be a 6 PM tonight.</li><li>Invitations: Don't want to share? That's fine, you can just invite your spouse, kids, or friends to an event on your calendar and all of the information will appear on their own personal calendar. </li><li>Text Reminders: Don't have a fancy smart phone? NO PROBLEM! You can easily set gCal to send you simple text reminders. I personally have all of my friend's birthdays set to send a reminder a few days before their birthday so I don't forget. </li> </ol><br />Everything in gCal is fairly simple to use and configure, but I took a few screen shots in order to show you how to share your calendar with a loved one:<br /><br /><b>STEP ONE:</b> Go to <a href="https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=cl&passive=1209600&continue=https://www.google.com/calendar/render&followup=https://www.google.com/calendar/render&scc=1">calendar.google.com</a> and sign in or sign up for a new account<br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TSGZMNSQdq8/Uf6HiOwhOmI/AAAAAAAAVGA/zo66P36g5Ps/w644-h446-no/cj_gcal_01.jpg"><br />This is the first screen you will see and you can put your mobile phone information in here so you can get your updates on the go (if you don't have a smart phone). Add your information and follow the screens. When you are done, it will take you to the main calendar page. <br /><br /><b>STEP TWO:</b> Go into Calendar Settings<br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ThpgYrCFtqk/Uf6HiHFuTLI/AAAAAAAAVGg/GDPd0Vi6Wo0/w741-h391-no/cj_gcal_02.jpg" width=640 height=280><br />Click on the GEAR icon and select the settings option.<br /> When the next window opens, click on the calendar tab:<br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dhXhGDAmFZo/Uf6HiMlgNDI/AAAAAAAAVGo/GJCGdFim5r4/w510-h219-no/cj_gcal_03.jpg"> <br /><br /><b>STEP THREE:</b> Click on share this Calendar<br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6FLhGSsqTBs/Uf6HitrkRBI/AAAAAAAAVFw/s9g-H0_S8j0/w547-h161-no/cj_gcal_04.jpg"><br /><br /><b>STEP FOUR:</b> Type the Google email of the person you want to share your calendar with (has to be another google account). <br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D7EQPG2ngjI/Uf6HiqrE3CI/AAAAAAAAVF8/RSyNGe7cTK0/w419-h183-no/cj_gcal_05.jpg"><br /><br />Follow the screens out and you are all set to share calendar invites with another person. http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/08/computer-joey-gtd-calendars.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-6914180660848762889Thu, 30 May 2013 00:22:00 +00002013-05-29T20:22:59.569-04:00Drinking Made EasyChug: The next installment of "Three Sheets"( @DrinkingMadeEasy )<br /><br /><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QAwLnZ5oDaY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />My editors over at <a href="http://drinkingmadeeasy.com/">Drinking Made Easy</a> asked me to post here on my private blog about a potential new drinking show called "Chug". Basically, it is "Three Sheets" but traveling by train. <b> Sounds good to me.</b> Here is the press release:<br /><br /><blockquote><b>Zane Lamprey Announces Kickstarter Campaign for International Drinking Show, “Chug!”</b><br /><br />For Immediate Release – April 22, 2013<br /><br />TV host and world drinking ambassador, Zane Lamprey, has announced a Kickstarter project to produce “Chug!” a new international drinking travel show. Similar to his previous international drinking show, “Three Sheets” (Travel Channel, SpikeTV), Lamprey will drink with locals as he learns about a region’s drinking cultures and customs. However, in “Chug!”, Lamprey will begin each episode by arriving by train (hence the name).<br /><br />The Kickstarter project will end on May 31st. Supporters of the project will receive a number of rewards, such as episodes, limited-edition merchandise, invitations to launch parties, and even an appearance in the show itself.</blockquote><br />To learn more or to contribute to the campaign, head over to <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chug/chug-an-international-drinking-show-with-zane-lamp">http://chug.tv</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/05/chug-next-installment-of-three-sheets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-7848344832198953907Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:10:00 +00002013-04-14T08:10:58.830-04:00BabyCenterBabycenter roundup: Week of April 7th@babycenter<br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iik8X_CWGEU/UWqZYm6GO7I/AAAAAAAAUl0/gtFVYqCB_GY/s843/kids_danger_MatthewJuzenas.jpg" width=640 height=420><br /><br /><b>Opinion: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/is-fighting-okay/">Is fighting okay?</a></b><br /><br /><i>Is it ever okay for kids to get into physical altercations? </i><br /><br /><b>Personal: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/too-busy-parenting-to-spend-time-with-friends/">Too busy parenting to socialize</a> </b><br /><br /><i>Article about not socializing too much due to the baby's schedule. </i> <br /><br /><b>News: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/new-jersey-bans-children-from-tanning-beds/">NJ bans tanning beds</a></b><br /><br /><i>I basically make fun of the real house wives of NJ and "Tan Mom". </i> <br /><br /><b>Opinion: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/can-you-outsource-parenting/">Can you outsource parenting?</a></b><br /><br /><i>The comments about this one got pretty wild. Interesting post. </i> <br /><br /><b>News: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/kids-and-google-glass/">Kids and Google Glass</a></b><br /><br /><i>Article about the potential social innovations with children that Google Glass could create. </i><br /><br /><b>Opinion: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/dangerous-houses-and-tiny-rebels-are-we-overly-fearful/">Dangerous houses and tiny rebels</a></b><br /><br /><i>Post about the differences between parenting today and of years past.</i><br /><br /><b>News: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/another-kid-with-a-mohawk-makes-headlines/">Another kid with a mohawk makes headlines</a></b><br /><br /><i>Covering another story about a kid getting suspended for having an alternative haircut. </i> http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/04/babycenter-roundup-week-of-april-7th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-4673452555422720432Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:11:00 +00002013-04-14T08:11:37.476-04:00BabyCenterBabycenter roundup:Week of March 31st<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iQ-akBl6I4Q/URq47PRFkgI/AAAAAAAAT7w/cRkTutaFzzA/s640/familystudy700.jpg"><br /><br />I have been lazy and haven't posted links to several articles I wrote for Babycenter over the last few weeks. Here is a run down (I do this for my own archival purposes too). <br /><br /><b>News: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/violence-video-games-and-all-the-voices/">Violence, video games, and all the voices</a></b><br /><br /><i>An article on a new study about video game violence and actual violence in children. </i><br /><br /><b>News: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/should-children-be-forced-to-exercise/">Should children be forced to exercise?</a></b><br /><br /><i>A reaction piece to an article detailing the trend of parents forcing children to exercise. </i> <br /><br /><b>Personal: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/so-when-are-you-having-another/">When are you having another?</a></b><br /><br /><i>Lisa gave me the idea for this article. I think you can figure out the topic. </i> <br /><br /><b>News: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/do-chores-together-stay-together/">Do chores together, stay together?</a></b><br /><br /><i>Reaction article on a study that finds couples that split the same task have better marriages. </i><br /><br /><b>Personal: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/dad-stories-from-crib-to-toddler-bed/">From crib to toddler bed...</a></b><br /><br /><i>Personal story about me converting Ben's crib into a toddler bed and getting the safety gate up around the stairs. </i>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/babycenter-5-article-recap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-5864808894628984130Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:00:00 +00002013-03-13T19:00:24.226-04:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Concussions on my mind( @babycenter #football #concussions )<br /><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RGUMJkL9ySA/UUEEMPANdYI/AAAAAAAAUDA/mVtGA44SBw0/s640/concussion.jpg"><br /><br />Babycenter published my most recent article about sports related concussions. I managed to slip in a shout out to my Uncle Vince Lombardi in the process. Check it out...<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/concussions-are-on-my-mind/">Babycenter: Concussions on my mind</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/babycenter-concussions-on-my-mind.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-4119216617335164818Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +00002013-03-13T09:00:04.769-04:00FatherhoodHappy Birthday Ben!( #BabyLombardi )<br /><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QsINqwd68aY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />While I typically keep my son off of this blog, I wanted to wish him a happy birthday. I can't believe it has been a year!http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/happy-birthday-ben.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-1639168055618670672Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:16:00 +00002013-03-12T17:16:57.740-04:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Do you pay the babysitter when you cancel?( @babycenter #babysitter )<br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iQ-akBl6I4Q/URq47PRFkgI/AAAAAAAAT7w/cRkTutaFzzA/s640/familystudy700.jpg"><br /><br />Babycenter published another post I wrote. This time I tackle the ethics of canceling last minute on the sitter and not paying. <br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/should-you-pay-the-babysitter-if-you-cancel/">Babycenter: Should you pay the sitter when you cancel?</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/babycenter-do-you-pay-babysitter-when.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-7433066565210169810Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:30:00 +00002013-03-11T10:30:01.538-04:00Computer JoeyRantTelecommuting: After Yahoo's decision is it on the decline?( @yahoo #telecommuting )<br /><br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c4KwYO_v3aQ/UT0cmdybtJI/AAAAAAAAUCE/PyWAl2EYpuw/s640/hammock_oc.jpg"><br /><i>Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/madprime/">MadPrime</a></i><br /><br />A few years ago I wrote a post about <a href="http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2010/02/career-blog-telecommuting-aka-working.html">the benefits of telecommuting</a> for both employers and employees. Since that time, things have changed for me; I don't work from home very much. My employer hasn't changed anything, in fact, they are even more comfortable with it. I made some life changes that required me to be closer to my office. That being said, I really appreciate the flexibility of remote work and the culture it has created. <br /><br />If I need to work different hours because of my kid, nobody is complaining if I sign on at home and knock some stuff out when the little guy is asleep. This flexibility allows me to crush deadlines (keeping the bosses happy) and take care of my family (keeping me happy). This is why I was initially shocked to hear that <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/25/technology/yahoo-work-from-home/">Yahoo</a> and then <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/05/technology/best-buy-work-from-home/">Best Buy</a> are ending their work from home programs. Yahoo CEO <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/sfmoms/2013/02/26/marissa-mayer-angers-moms-with-new/">Marissa Mayer has drawn the ire</a> of many working mothers first by coming back to work <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/01/us-yahoo-mayer-idUSBRE89015220121001">soon after giving birth</a> and now eliminating remote work. <br /><br />People are worried that this will become a trend. <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/business/yahoos-workathome-recall-not-an-industry-shift-vt8hfju-196689581.html">It won't</a>. Both Yahoo and Best Buy are currently struggling. Something needs to change, and Mayer's "all hands on deck" mentality may be the <b>short term solution</b> that the company needs to get better footing. Most companies are not as agile as Silicon Valley tech firms... telecommuting strategies take time and money. Every trend document I read points to companies investing heavily in remote tools and collaborative technologies in order to reduce real estate costs and pull from a greater talent pool. <br /><br />Many companies have 3-5 year plans to roll out both technology and HR policies at the same time they reduce their physical footprints to maximize cost savings. Yahoo and Best Buy's policy change will probably do little to impact these long-term decisions. I would also like to point out that considering both companies market positions, signaling the end of a telecommuting program could now be viewed as a sign of desperation and weakness on the street. <br /><br />Sometimes a company needs to make a major cultural change, which <i>should</i> start with staff. Think about <a href="http://computer.howstuffworks.com/googleplex3.htm">where Mayer comes from</a>. Google is constantly viewed as a great place to work: they give you free food, their campus is awesome, they do your laundry, they have pods where you can take a nap...<br /><br /><iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8sOtjBDPQdU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Google does all of this awesome stuff because they don't want you to leave the building. They take care of all of the stuff you worry about that distracts you from your job so you keep doing more work for them. It is a brilliant strategy when you employ programmers and other workers who do better in teams and clusters. Will it work for every business model? Probably not. <br /><br />Working from home isn't going to go anywhere, but Yahoo may go away if Marrisa Mayer can't turn the ship around. Give her some time to see if the changes she is making will work or fail. Most companies don't have the ability to offer the perks both Google and Yahoo (Mayer has been making many Google-like changes on Yahoo's main campus) and they also don't have the unique real estate overhead, so I don't think the benefit of telecommuting is going to disappear for normal healthy organizations any times soon. http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/telecommuting-after-yahoos-decision-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-3652343458604166258Mon, 11 Mar 2013 01:39:00 +00002013-03-10T21:39:20.167-04:00News and Current EventsReligionThe next Pope( #Pope #Catholics )<br /><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f0K7cahp3wY/UT0xRaE0BRI/AAAAAAAAUCk/jgQLKaFdtmg/s640/pope_2012.jpg"><br /><i>Image Credit: Catholic Church of England</i><br /><br />The conclave of Catholic Cardinals (say that three times fast) is in <a href="http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/10/17257282-the-will-of-god-is-not-entirely-clear-cardinal-hints-at-tough-task-facing-church?lite">the process of picking out the next Pope</a>. Taking my personal feelings about organized religion aside, these Cardinals have the opportunity to make legitimate changes that will improve the survival of the organization. With the departure of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI">Pope Benedict XVI</a>, the church should make a clear statement by picking someone youngish and accessible to mobilize the world's remaining Catholics. <br /><br />The church needs a dynamic leader who is willing to support thoughtful and forward-thinking change within the organization. I think the abrupt departure of Benedict is telling. I am expecting some unflattering news to emerge about the former Pope within 5 years. The church's <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/07/us-pope-succession-abuse-idUSBRE92611A20130307">reaction to the sex abuse scandals</a> was horrid. The business-as-usual approach will continue to eat away at the organization's more moderate members until only extremists are left. <br /><br />Choosing old, out of touch, sickly old men <a href="http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/03/10/carl-bernstein-pope-benedict-has-been-a-disaster/">is a mistake</a>. It will be interesting to see if the church has learned from their bad decisions, especially their most recent ones. http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/the-next-pope.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-2583400797131549955Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:54:00 +00002013-03-08T12:54:14.346-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Hooters looking for women...customers?( @babycenter @hooters )<br /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B707P-0JeCM/UTokZVrujxI/AAAAAAAAUBk/NwYONwLJAIU/s778/Hooters_BemDevessa.jpg" width=640 height=480><br /><i>Image Credit: Bem Devessa</i><br /><br />Babycenter just published an article I wrote about Hooters' attempts at getting more women in the restaurant to eat. Check it out (it is pretty funny). <br /><br />Babycenter: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/hooters-hoping-to-attract-more-female-customers/">Hooters hoping to attract more female...customers?</a> http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/babycenter-hooters-looking-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-5764708771456612003Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:10:00 +00002013-03-07T18:10:34.690-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Baby's first birthday( @babycenter )<br /><br /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Nryo4bdHnIo/UTkd-WZwEZI/AAAAAAAAUBI/bnyWStAqoTE/s885/IMG_20130302_155954.jpg" width=640 height=480><br /><br />This one is a little late, but Babycenter published an article I came up with on Baby's first birthday. Lots of good comments and feedback. <br /><br />Check it out: <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/babys-first-birthday-time-to-party/">Time to Party?</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/babycenter-babys-first-birthday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-2060672676304652027Sun, 03 Mar 2013 19:18:00 +00002013-03-03T14:18:06.837-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Crazy expensive stroller gets owned...Lombardi style( @babycenter )<br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sRUpAPZw91w/UTOhmCOsbCI/AAAAAAAAUAk/m8_OiajTfds/s640/bc_expensive_stroller.jpg"><br /><br />Babycenter posted an article I had a little too much fun with. It seems Aston Martin is releasing a $3000 stroller lined with suede. I go off... this is my most "out there" post so far. <br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/aston-martin-reveals-insanely-expensive-stroller/">Babycenter: Aston Martin reveals insanely expensive stroller</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/03/babycenter-crazy-expensive-stroller.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-2585480409030133802Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:14:00 +00002013-02-28T17:14:44.842-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Kids making the President go gray( @babycenter )<br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ezg2UJqy39w/US_WJIvXoKI/AAAAAAAAT_8/BZmbQVO8MWg/s640/obama.jpg"><br /><br />Babycenter posted another quick news story I wrote today. Check it out:<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/the-presidents-children-are-making-him-go-gray/">Babycenter: Kids making the President go gray?</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/babycenter-kids-making-president-go-gray.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-3547077929530867094Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:50:00 +00002013-02-27T19:50:03.718-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Apple to pay settlement to cover your baby's app store addiction( @babycenter )<br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iQ-akBl6I4Q/URq47PRFkgI/AAAAAAAAT7w/cRkTutaFzzA/s640/familystudy700.jpg"><br /><br />Another quick news article. This is about Apple paying a settlement to 23 million parents who had kids purchasing crap from the app store. <br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/apple-to-pay-settlement-for-your-babys-app-store-addiction/">Babycenter: Apple to pay settlement for your baby's app store addiction </a><br />http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/babycenter-apple-to-pay-settlement-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-3248153344815556917Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:45:00 +00002013-02-27T19:45:41.205-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Screaming Children Banned<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iQ-akBl6I4Q/URq47PRFkgI/AAAAAAAAT7w/cRkTutaFzzA/s640/familystudy700.jpg"><br /><br />Babycenter posted a quick news article I wrote up a few days ago. Check it out:<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/screaming-children-banned-from-shopping-center/">Babycenter: Screaming children banned in Australian mall</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/babycenter-screaming-children-banned.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-4223592485347087075Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:25:00 +00002013-02-19T19:25:14.614-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Your kid is cute, he looks nothing like you( @Babycenter )<br /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AYsozzPvHWA/UR_Xu9274nI/AAAAAAAAT8s/LAfQFvEyZJI/s804/IMG_20130215_131327.jpg" width=640 height=480><br /><br />Babycenter.com just published my most recent article. This time I tackle the whole "your kid doesn't look anything like you" comments you get from virtual strangers. <br /><br />Give it a read: <br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/your-baby-is-so-cute-but-he-doesnt-look-anything-like-you/">Babycenter: You baby is so cute, but looks nothing like you</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/babycenter-your-kid-is-cute-he-looks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-9108979388863462399Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:30:00 +00002013-02-12T18:30:02.493-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Over-parenting( @babycenter) <br /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iQ-akBl6I4Q/URq47PRFkgI/AAAAAAAAT7w/cRkTutaFzzA/s640/familystudy700.jpg"><br /><br />Babycenter.com published another quick article that I wrote last night that covers the topic of over-parenting. Check out the quick little read here:<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/0211201how-much-parenting-is-too-much/">Babycenter: Can you resist the urge to over-parent?</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/babycenter-over-parenting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-8388903332073650851Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:52:00 +00002013-02-12T16:52:56.117-05:00BabyCenterBabycenter: Daycare Drama( @babycenter )<br /><br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XQRCSVfEIgU/URq5Ibt783I/AAAAAAAAT74/qKFAe6jpwlM/s640/main1.png"><br /><br />Babycenter.com posted my first article for them today. It recounts our issues with putting Ben in daycare. Give it a read.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/daycare-drama/">Babycenter: My Daycare Drama</a>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/babycenter-daycare-drama.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-6655570759362835477Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +00002013-02-08T10:00:08.403-05:00BooksReviewsBook Review: The Dog Stars by Peter Heller( #thedogstars )<br /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uSgHI7LuE50/TulsANkoPKI/AAAAAAAARMc/OkXIYqjBulk/s640/jayme_rose_book.jpg"><br /><br />Post apocalyptic fiction is very trendy these days. The success of zombie fiction and movies, and all of those “after humanity” TV shows with the skyscrapers falling apart have really amped up people’s appetite for the end of days. <br /><br />Author Peter Heller threw his hat into the “last of humanity” ring and crafted a very compelling story. In “<a href="http://amzn.to/WPQBdq">The Dog Stars</a>” humanity is hit with a very nasty plague/fever that wiped out civilization. There are a few survivors left, some infected with a variation of the virus that doesn’t kill them but leaves them very weak, defenseless, and permanently quarantined. <br /><br />Heller’s story centers around Hig, a nice guy pretty much going through the motions and waiting for his own end. Hig has a neighbor/semi-friend named Bangley. Bangley is a hardass gun nut who protects their little compound from other survivors attempting to loot or take their land (which has access to clean water). Hig constantly questions Bangley’s loyalty and surmises he is only kept around because he can fly planes (and keep them operational). Hig also has a pet dog that he cares very deeply for and wonders if Bangley will kill if he gets out of line. <br /><br />Even though there are dangers from looters, Hig is becoming bored with his relatively safe life. He continues to take risks by leaving the compound and flying further away from the base on scouting missions. He eventually comes up with a plan to fly to a far away airport where he once received a weak signal, but he won’t have enough gas to return (if he can’t refuel at the other airport). Most of the book is spent with Hig convincing himself to leave and the issues and people he encounters when he does. <br /><br />Heller thankfully avoids the typical tropes of post apocalyptic fiction (“humanity got what it deserves”, “we learned nothing from our mistakes” bla bla bla). The story is very stripped down: “are you prepared to do the things you need to do to survive (no judgement)?” Hig struggles with having to shoot other survivors (even as they try to kill him) and he also has to argue with Bangley when he helps a colony of the surviving infected (who are helpless and unable to get supplies). <br /><br />The simplicity of the book is accented by Hig’s fragmented thoughts. Heller hints that Hig was not untouched by the virus and has trouble thinking (his thoughts in writing are in little bursts), although it could be from being alone and the trauma of losing his loved ones. There is some drag in the middle of the story, but it picks up again. Ultimately, the book boils down to this question: when you survive an extinction level event, is there anything worth living for? Heller does a pretty good job exploring that idea and coming up with an answer. <br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;font-size:11px;font-family:arial;font-weight:normal;margin:10px;padding:0;line-height:normal'><a href='http://www.bestsfbooks.com/b/4516/The-Dog-Stars-Peter-Heller' style='border:none'><img src='http://www.bestsfbooks.com/sfback/b/4516.jpg' style='width:107px;height:23px;border:none;margin:0;padding:0'><br>The Dog Stars</a></div>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/book-review-dog-stars-by-peter-heller.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-3668938117269437660Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:02:00 +00002013-02-06T20:40:44.502-05:00BooksReviewsZombiesBook Review: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion( #warmbodies )<br /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uSgHI7LuE50/TulsANkoPKI/AAAAAAAARMc/OkXIYqjBulk/s640/jayme_rose_book.jpg"><br /><br />Hollywood is full of clever bastards. The Walking Dead is an extremely popular <a href="http://amzn.to/14EUJiS">television show</a> and <a href="http://amzn.to/TMwAV5">comic book</a>. It is also Feburary and a few weeks away from Valentines Day. What is a crafty movie executive to do? A romantic zombie movie or a romzom of course. I have been bombarded by ads for “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588173/">Warm Bodies</a>” for a few months and then I happened to read that it was based on a book...<br /><br /><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/07s-cNFffDM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />… and said book was said to be considerably darker and deeper than the romzom version. So I downloaded it. <br /><br /><a href="http://amzn.to/WPMUo8">Warm Bodies</a> is a short and enjoyable novel. It took me a few hours to read it and I liked it. The book is an obvious riff on “Romeo and Juliet”. The zombie’s name is “R” and the lead female is “Julie”. Her dad is in charge of the human survivors and clearly would not approve of his daughter’s necrophilia. Both characters have to buck their social norms to be together. <br /><br />I suppose my only issue with the book is that the zombies have a society. If you see the commercial for the movie, you get the impression that “R” eating Julie’s boyfriend makes him start thinking and living again. The book also pushes this idea, but the zombies are clearly organized before “R’s” encounter with Julie. The zombies can sort of talk and there is a hierarchy to their society. They have strategy to eat humans. So they are not the typical zombies from the movies even before the main plot thread starts to happen. <br /><br />The book tries to make “R” the zombie messiah and a romantic lead and those two thread compete for room in the book, but since this isn’t “War and Peace” you get over that problem pretty quickly. One thing I really appreciated about Marion’s writing is that he did not use the same terrible cliched words that every zombie writer uses - gore, guts, meat, disemboweled, and of course braaaaaiiins. <br /><br />Bottom line: Fun and quick read - I recommend it. <br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;font-size:11px;font-family:arial;font-weight:normal;margin:10px;padding:0;line-height:normal'><a href='http://www.bestsfbooks.com/b/1124/Warm-Bodies-Isaac-Marion' style='border:none'><img src='http://www.bestsfbooks.com/sfback/b/1124.jpg' style='width:107px;height:23px;border:none;margin:0;padding:0'><br />Warm Bodies</a></div>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/02/book-review-warm-bodies-by-isaac-marion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409519448850868286.post-8730189592633881198Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:53:00 +00002013-01-30T18:53:34.840-05:00Drinking Made EasyDME: Barr Hill Gin Interview( @drinkingmadeasy )<br /><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hl4gZSlxUwY/UQmxMt_FqsI/AAAAAAAAT7Q/UPt09xATDhg/s640/dme_bhgin.jpg"><br /><br />Drinking Made Easy just published my interview with <a href="http://caledoniaspirits.com/">Caledonia Spirits</a> owner Todd Hardie. I am really happy with the way the interview and article turned out. Check it out via the link below! <i>Leave some comments in the article too.</i> <br /><br /><b><a href="http://drinkingmadeeasy.com/blog/joey-lombardi/barr-hill-gin/">Drinking Made Easy: Barr Hill Gin</a></b>http://blog.joeylombardi.com/2013/01/dme-barr-hill-gin-interview.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joey Lombardi)